Okay, picture this: it's a Friday night, maybe sometime in '94 or '95. You've braved the aisles of the local video store, that familiar smell of plastic cases and slightly stale popcorn in the air. You're looking for something… good. Not necessarily explosions, maybe something clever, something with heart. And there it is – the Dave cover, Kevin Kline looking both presidential and utterly bewildered. You grab it, pop it in the VCR later that night, and settle in for what turns out to be one of the most genuinely charming and cleverly executed comedies of the decade.
Dave wasn't just another high-concept pitch; it was a movie firing on all cylinders, a perfect blend of political satire, romantic comedy, and feel-good fantasy that felt incredibly refreshing then, and maybe even more so now.
A President By Accident
The premise, cooked up by writer Gary Ross (who snagged a well-deserved Oscar nomination for this script before going on to direct films like Pleasantville and Seabiscuit), is pure Hollywood gold: Dave Kovic (Kevin Kline), a kind-hearted temp agency owner who does a spot-on impersonation of the stern, unpopular President Bill Mitchell, is hired for a quick decoy gig. But when the real President suffers a massive stroke while, ahem, otherwise engaged, the ruthless Chief of Staff Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) and Communications Director Alan Reed (Kevin Dunn) decide to keep Dave on permanently as their puppet. What they don't count on is Dave actually having a conscience.
It’s a classic fish-out-of-water setup, elevated by Ivan Reitman’s assured direction. Reitman, the guy who masterfully wrangled the chaotic energy of Ghostbusters and Stripes, knew exactly how to balance the absurdity with genuine emotion. He lets the comedy breathe, never rushing the character moments, allowing the audience to invest in Dave’s improbable journey. I remember watching this on my clunky CRT, the slight fuzziness somehow adding to the cozy feel of the story, and just being completely won over.
Kline is King (or President)
Let's be honest, this film lives and dies on the lead performance, and Kevin Kline is simply magnificent. Fresh off his Oscar win for A Fish Called Wanda, Kline delivers not one, but two distinct and believable characters. His President Mitchell is cold, arrogant, and dismissive, established perfectly in just a few scenes. But his Dave Kovic is the heart of the movie – warm, funny, slightly goofy, and fundamentally decent. Watching Dave navigate the corridors of power, initially terrified but gradually finding his footing and deciding to actually do good, is a joy. Kline’s physical comedy is subtle but brilliant, conveying Dave’s awkwardness and eventual confidence often with just a look or a shift in posture. Retro Fun Fact: Reportedly, Warren Beatty and Harrison Ford were considered for the role early on, but it’s hard to imagine anyone capturing Dave’s specific blend of vulnerability and charisma quite like Kline.
More Than Just a One-Man Show
While Kline anchors the film, the supporting cast is superb. Sigourney Weaver, stepping away from Xenomorphs and ghosts, brings a wonderful mix of icy reserve and eventual thawing warmth as First Lady Ellen Mitchell. Her initial disdain for "Bill" (really Dave) and her slow realization that this man is different is one of the film's most rewarding arcs. Their chemistry evolves beautifully, grounding the political fantasy in something relatable. Retro Fun Fact: Weaver apparently enjoyed the change of pace, finding the comedic and romantic elements a refreshing challenge after more intense roles like Ripley in the Alien series.
And then there's Frank Langella as Bob Alexander. He crafts one of the great slick, calculating screen villains of the 90s – utterly reptilian yet strangely charismatic in his manipulations. He’s the perfect foil for Dave’s earnestness. We also get great turns from Kevin Dunn as the initially complicit but increasingly conflicted Alan Reed, and a wonderfully stoic and loyal Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction) as Secret Service agent Duane Stevenson, who gets one of the film’s biggest laughs with a simple, heartfelt line.
Spot the Cameo!
Part of the fun, especially watching it back then, was the parade of real-life political figures and media personalities playing themselves. From Senators like Chris Dodd and Alan Simpson debating policy to talking heads like Larry King, Chris Matthews, and Jay Leno, these appearances lent a surprising layer of authenticity to the Beltway satire. Retro Fun Fact: The filmmakers managed to secure these cameos by assuring the participants the film wasn't taking partisan shots, but rather aiming for a more general, Capra-esque commentary on integrity in politics. Apparently, the script’s quality and charm won many of them over. The Oval Office set itself was also praised for its accuracy, reportedly built based on detailed plans and used again in later productions.
That Feel-Good Factor
Dave arrived in the early 90s, a time that perhaps felt a bit more optimistic, or at least less overtly cynical, than today. It tapped into that classic American ideal – the belief that one good person can make a difference, even in the tangled mess of Washington D.C. It’s undeniably a fantasy, a political fairy tale where complex problems get solved with common sense and good intentions. But it’s executed with such wit, charm, and conviction that you completely buy into it for two hours. It makes you want to believe. The film was a solid hit back in '93, pulling in over $90 million worldwide against its budget (which some sources place around $28 million, making it a tidy profit) and earning widespread critical acclaim precisely because it felt like a breath of fresh air.
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VHS Heaven Rating: 9/10
Justification: Dave is a near-perfect example of smart, heartwarming studio filmmaking from the 90s. Anchored by a brilliant dual performance from Kevin Kline, supported by a stellar cast, directed with a deft touch by Ivan Reitman, and built on a witty, Oscar-nominated script, it delivers laughs, romance, and a genuinely satisfying dose of political idealism. It avoids cynicism without being naive, and its charm remains potent decades later. Minor deductions for slight predictability inherent in the premise, but the execution is almost flawless.
Final Take: It’s the kind of movie that makes you feel good about movies – a reminder that sharp writing and fantastic performances can make even the most improbable premise sing. If your old VHS copy is long gone, find Dave somewhere; it’s a political fantasy that still feels refreshingly decent.